Capture the breathtaking beauty of the colorful and picturesque villages of Manarola, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza, the most spectacular of the five villages of Cinque Terre. Ultimately, you can immerse yourself in the charm of the magnificent Leaning Tower of Pisa and its renowned Piazza dei Miracoli. If you enjoy cityscape, seascape, and landscape photography at scenic locations, then you will enjoy this photography tour!
Nestled along the stunning Ligurian coast, Cinque Terre is a picture-perfect landscape that has earned its well-deserved status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This region is renowned for its unmatched beauty and charm, making it one of the most photogenic regions of Italy, overflowing with photo opportunities. It is a pre-tour extension of the Tuscany photo tour.
You will have opportunities on this tour to capture this mesmerizing beauty from unique vantage points, immersing yourself in the scenery like never before. From the rugged coastline dotted with colorful cliffside villages and terraced vineyards to the dramatic sunsets that bathe the landscape in a golden glow, every moment spent on this tour promises to be unforgettable.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the typical Ligurian villages, capturing the photographic essence of daily life here. As the sun dips below the horizon, the magic unfolds during the sunset and evening blue hour, painting the sky with vibrant hues. And you’ll be there to capture it.
In addition to great seascapes of Cinque Terre, we will take a stop in Pisa so you can capture one of the most iconic towers in the world – the Leaning Tower; while exploring the stunning Piazza dei Miracoli from every angle and soaking up the atmosphere of the enchanting streets of Pisa.
The Pisa & Cinque Terre Photography Tour creates the perfect blend of learning and exploration. We cannot think of a better location to express your creativity and improve your photography skills. Get ready to embark on this extraordinary journey of discovery and inspiration. Your great photos will tell stories unseen and memories none will forget.
We will regularly take advantage of soft light and shoot at sunrise and sunset. In addition, we will take photo walks in the mid-day to capture street scenes that will complement the cityscape images we will shoot at sunrises and sunsets.
You will also have the opportunity to learn how to make your images pop during our post-processing sessions. This photo travel tour is made to provide the best possible experience.
Consider extending your photographic adventure with us and join the preceding Tuscany photo tour.
If you decide to cancel:
An additional cancellation fee of 150 EUR applies to cover the payment fees and our service fee.
We can pick you up at the Florence Airport at 9:30 AM on Day 1 (March 21), and we’ll head directly to Cinque Terre.
Upon arrival, we’ll settle in the charming coastal village of Manarola. After getting acquainted with the picturesque surroundings, we’ll gather for a delightful lunch in Manarola. This easy-going midday program offers the perfect opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local culture and flavors, savoring the delicious cuisine while taking in the unique ambiance of this coastal gem.
In late afternoon, in just a quick 6-minute train ride, we’ll arrive in Vernazza, one of the most breathtaking locations in the area for photography. Prepare to capture the enchanting sunset over Vernazza’s stunning landscapes and coastal vistas, creating lasting memories and stunning images.
On the following day, we’ll have the opportunity to witness the beauty of sunrise in the enchanting village of Manarola. We’ll rise early, ensuring we have plenty of time to capture the stunning blue hour tones that envelop the village. This tranquil and magical time of day provides the perfect backdrop for capturing the essence of Manarola. We’ll continue shooting until the light becomes too harsh, allowing us to make the most of the optimal morning conditions.
After our sunrise shoot, we’ll return to our conveniently located hotel for a satisfying breakfast. Just a 5-minute walk from our shooting location, we can enjoy a delicious meal and replenish our energy for the day ahead.
Following breakfast, you’ll have some time to relax and unwind, embracing Manarola’s laid-back atmosphere and picturesque surroundings.
In the late morning, we’ll keep the plan open and decide what we want to do from several options.
As the sun starts to descend toward the horizon, we’ll embark on another memorable sunset shoot. Once again, we’ll utilize the convenient train system to travel to Riomaggiore, the third captivating village of Cinque Terre. Here, we’ll witness the breathtaking sight of the sun sinking into the sea, offering a magnificent view that epitomizes the region’s beauty. Capture the vibrant colors and serene atmosphere as we photograph the mesmerizing sunset over the shimmering waters, creating stunning images that will forever remind us of this remarkable experience.
On the third day, there is an optional sunrise shoot in Manarola. For those who wish to seize this opportunity, we’ll wake up early and venture out to capture the magical moments of dawn in this captivating village. The soft morning light will bathe Manarola in a warm glow, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere. This sunrise shoot offers a chance to add even more stunning images to your collection, immersing yourself in the beauty of Cinque Terre at the start of the day.
After a fulfilling morning of photography or rest, we’ll head to breakfast. Use this time to reflect on the incredible experiences and images captured throughout our time in this picturesque coastal region.
Following breakfast, we’ll pack our belongings and bid farewell to Cinque Terre as we journey toward Pisa. The transfer to Pisa will take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, allowing for a comfortable and scenic ride through the beautiful Italian countryside.
We’ll enjoy a delightful lunch in the city upon arrival in Pisa. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and indulge in the local cuisine, savoring the flavors of Tuscany.
After lunch, we’ll check into our rooms in Pisa and take some time to relax. You can unwind and recharge or, if you wish, take a stroll through the city.
We’ll head to the iconic Piazza dei Miracoli to capture the Leaning Tower and the nearby monastery in the best possible light. As the sun sets, the soft golden hues will enhance the beauty and grandeur of these architectural wonders. Capture the timeless allure of Pisa’s most famous landmarks, creating lasting memories of our final photography session together.
After the shoot, if our energy levels allow, we’ll have time for photo sharing and critiques.
For those eager to squeeze in one more unforgettable moment, an optional sunrise shoot is available before breakfast. We’ll rise early, immersing ourselves in the morning’s tranquility as the first rays of light paint the historic city with a soft glow. This additional opportunity allows you to capture the beauty of the surroundings in the serene early hours, creating a final set of stunning images to commemorate our time together.
Then the voluntary sunrise shoot, we’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast, savoring the final moments together. Today will be dedicated to wrapping up our photography tour and returning to the airports.
We’ll have a convenient transfer to Pisa airport for those who have chosen to fly out of Pisa. It’s a 15-minute journey from the hotel, ensuring a smooth and effortless departure.
We’ll arrange a transfer from Pisa to Florence Airport for guests flying out from Florence. The journey will take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, allowing for a comfortable ride through the scenic Italian countryside. We estimate reaching Florence airport around 10:30 AM, bidding farewell to those departing from Florence.
As we conclude our tour together, we’ll cherish the memories and the beautiful images captured during our time in Cinque Terre. Those who want will continue with us to Tuscany for the second leg of this trip.
The workshop concludes, but the inspiration and camaraderie fostered during this experience will stay with us as we continue our photographic journeys.
As with photography workshops, the itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather.
We will also run post-processing sessions in Adobe Lightroom Classic CC to provide another benefit from this photo tour. We will work on your pictures and show you how to unlock their full potential.
Jan will take you on a journey from unattractive and flat photos to vibrant, appealing, professional-looking pictures that will sell well.
In a short time, you’ll understand why editing your photos is important and how to do it efficiently.
For post-processing sessions, we’ll use the time for rest and do it in small groups of two participants.
Upon request, we can also discuss various topics such as digital asset management, backup workflow, or anything else that interests you.
You will fly to Florence (FLR) and fly out either from Pisa (PSA) or Florence. We will give you the recommended arrival and departure times, so you can benefit from us picking you up and dropping you off directly at the airport.
We will use a combination of a comfortable 9-seater van and an estate personal vehicle to reach the coast of Italy. Both cars will allow for ample space and comfort during the tour.
The convenient train system is the best way to discover Cinque Terre. It’ll give us access to the other villages with less walking. The Cinque Terre train pass is included.
We will stay at two accommodations – in a great 3-star hotel in Manarola for two nights and the final night in Pisa in a 4-star hotel. We carefully choose the hotels so they feature cozy, spacious rooms, and offer a fantastic experience, so you feel comfortable and can get good rest.
We will have breakfasts after our sunrise shoots back at the hotels; they are included.
Our lunches will take place in Manarola and Pisa, and we’ll choose restaurants where you can experience delicious Italian cuisine and savor every bite.
We’ll have dinners after the sunset shoots at about 7:30 PM. Later you can enjoy reenergizing sleep before the sunrise photographic adventures.
While exploring the Cinque Terre region, some walking will be involved to reach photography locations. The terrain can range from paved streets to uneven paths and staircases, reflecting the hilly nature of these coastal areas. It’s important to note that some locations may require moderate uphill or downhill walks.
Additionally, the tour involves convenient train transfers within Cinque Terre, minimizing the need for extensive walking between villages.
Overall, the tour offers a manageable physical difficulty level, allowing participants to enjoy the photography opportunities and the picturesque surroundings without significant physical exertion.
You can also take our self-assessment quiz that indicates whether our photo tours are a good fit for you. Get your personalized report now.
Intermediate photography experience is recommended. We expect you to know the basics of exposure and composition and be comfortable handling your camera. Terms like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, depth of field, bracketing, or self-timer should be in your vocabulary because that’s what we’ll work with every time. You don’t need any prior experience with low-light photography or night photography.
If you need to become more familiar with these terms or are unsure if this tour suits you, please contact Jan.
You can also take our self-assessment quiz that indicates whether our photo tours are a good fit for you. Get your personalized report now.
Jan is an award-winning photographer based in the Czech Republic, where he leads local landscape and travel photography workshops. His work has been published in magazines such as National Geographic Traveller or Viajes National Geographic. Jan’s instruction on multi-day tours focuses on training each participant to see hidden compositions. Jan’s goal is to ensure each participant comes to understand composition and exposure, yielding more desirable results.
Leonardo is a landscape photographer from Tuscany, Italy, and has been in the sector for almost a decade. He won prizes in several international nature photography contests, such as the GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the Montphoto Awards, the International Landscape Photographer of the Year, the Memorial Maria Luisa, etc. What he aims to do every time he’s on the field is to exploit the knowledge he learned over the years and the conditions that Mother Nature will grace him to convey emotions, narrate a story and achieve a fascinating, natural visual result in all his pictures.
In March, the weather is comfortable in the villages of the Cinque Terre. The high temperatures average around 12°C (54°F) during the day, and the lows regularly fall to 8°C (46°F) at night.
You will need a camera bag, a camera with a wide-angle lens, and a sturdy tripod. Don’t forget to bring some extra batteries and memory cards.
You’ll get a detailed list after signing up for the tour.
Sunrises are at approximately 6:20 AM, and sunsets are at 6:40 PM on these dates.
Yes, non-photographers are also welcome. The tour price for non-photographers is the same as for photographers.
A photo tour usually refers to a trip where leaders bring participants to the usual shooting locations and let them be without much help. In a workshop, leaders work more closely with participants and actively help them to take stunning images. Even though this event is called a photo tour, in its nature, it’s more of a workshop. Your leaders will work with you and help you craft good images, but they will also shoot themselves.
We chose only to visit Manarola, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore because they are the most photogenic. Monterosso al Mare, Corniglia, Portovenere, or La Spezia lack compared to those three mentioned earlier, so we decided to focus on the most beautiful ones instead.
Take our self-assessment quiz to find out. After answering mostly Yes/No questions that cover areas such as photography, fitness, and comfort levels, you will receive a personalized report showing whether our tours are suitable for you.
Answer 28 questions and receive a personalized report that will help you understand your strengths and areas for improvement.
The average time to complete is 15 minutes.
Enroll in our completely free 7-day mini-course delivered into your inbox daily.